The Seattle Seahawks are facing a critical two weeks. If they are able to win out, they have secured their spot in the playoffs. Potentially as high as the No. 6 seed, should the red hot Los Angeles Rams drop one of their next two games. First on the docket for Seattle will be the rejuvenated Pittsburgh Steelers.
It has been an interesting season for the Steelers. Initially, it looked as if they were rebounding nicely from a so-so 9-8 record last year. At one point they were 7-4, but three straight losses to start December had them fall sharply. It wasn’t just that they lost, it’s who they lost to:
- 24-10 vs the Arizona Cardinals at home
- 21-18 vs the New England Patriots at home
- 30-13 vs the Indianapolis Colts on the road
The losses to Arizona and New England were historically bad defeats. Pittsburgh became the first team in NFL history to lose back to back games to teams eight games or more below .500.
Steelers become the first team over .500 to lose back-to-back games to teams 8+ games under .500 in NFL history đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/xjT9sRZbai
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 8, 2023
However, the Steelers seem to have found new life after the loss to the Colts. Pittsburgh went back to third string – and former starter – Mason Rudolph, and felt the impact immediately. Rudolph passed for 290 yards and two touchdowns as the Steelers offense erupted for 34 points.
As flawed as he is, Rudolph does give the Pittsburgh offense some vertical threat they’ve sorely been lacking for the better part of two years now. There’s an explosiveness second year quarterback Kenny Pickett or backup Mitch Trubisky simply cannot maintain.
As for the Seahawks, they’re hot, but have survived two narrow identical 20-17 wins. It has taken heroic comeback drives in the fourth quarter to take down both the Philadelphia Eagles and Tennessee Titans. Seattle’s offense still sputters and looks inconsistent at times, but have shown they’re more than capable of showing up big in the moments that matter most.
Defensively, Seattle’s run defense has been a disaster for weeks now. Since Week 11, they’ve been the worst in the league. Granted, they’ve had to play San Francisco, Philadelphia and Tennessee – who can only score via Derrick Henry. But still, this does not bode well. Fortunately, the Steelers aren’t exactly a dominant rush team, so it’s not like this is a weakness vs a strength.
Regardless, the Seahawks are absolutely going to have to find a way to get off the field. For two weeks now, opponents have been able to engineer lengthy drives, milk the clock, and keep the Seattle offense grounded. Pittsburgh is more than comfortable at playing it conservative, running the ball, and hoping their defense does the job.
Prediction: Seahawks over Steelers 23-21
In many ways, these teams are similar. Especially at head coach, as both are led by Hall of Fame bound leaders who are outstanding culture builders. Mike Tomlin has never once had a losing record as a head coach, and at 8-7 his team will be feeling the pressure to ensure this mark stays pristine.
But Seattle is hot right now, and is beginning to look closer to the team we thought they’d be. Or, at the very least, the team from earlier in the season.
Both teams are desperate. The Steelers are the No. 10 seed in the AFC, but in a four way log jam with similar 8-7 teams. As for the Seahawks, they’re in a tight Wild Card race as well. Seattle and Los Angeles are both 8-7, but the Vikings, Saints, and Packers are all hot on their heels at 7-8.
Admittedly, I find it hard to pick against either coach or team in this situation. But since the Seahawks are actually in a playoff spot and control their fate, I’m going with them to maintain this spot.
I’m also giving the edge to the home team, especially with the rabid 12th Man behind them, still bitter over Super Bowl XL. I’m taking the Seahawks in another close one.
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